Automatic trench filler and tamper

ABSTRACT

A continuously longitudinally movable main frame is positionable at a longitudinally extending ditch having a continuously longitudinally extending mound of filler earth stacked transversely adjacent said ditch. The main frame mounts three spaced rotatable augers extending horizontally and transversely of said ditch, and a vertically actuated tamper following each auger engaged with filler earth in the ditch, all followed by a rotatable sweeper brush. During movement of the main frame, the augers are appropriately engaged with the mount of filler earth moving the earth into the ditch while the tampers compact the filler earth within the ditch, and the brush sweeps excess filler earth to the ditch.

1451 Apr. 30, 1974 AUTOMATIC TRENCI-I FILLER AND TAMPER [76] Inventor:Kenneth R. Cloud, 3541 McLaughlin Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. 90066 22Filed: Dec. 18, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 316,031

Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant ExaminerClifford D. CrowderAttorney, Agent, or FirmMahoney, Schick & Cislo 5 7] ABSTRACT Acontinuously longitudinally movable main frame is positionable at alongitudinally extending ditch having a continuously longitudinallyextending mound of filler earth stacked transversely adjacent saidditch. The main frame mounts three spaced rotatable augers extendinghorizontally and transversely of said ditch, and a vertically actuatedtamper following each auger engaged with filler earth in the ditch, allfollowed by a rotatable sweeper brush. During movement of the mainframe, the augers are appropriately engaged with the mount of fillerearth moving the earth into the ditch while the tampers compact thetiller earth within the ditch, and the brush sweeps excess filler earthto the ditch.

4 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures iATENTEBMPR 30 I914 3 Q 8 O7 06 7 sum 1 OF5 Fig. l.

AUTOMATIC TRENCH FILLER AND TAMPER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to an automatic trench or ditch filler and tamper, andmore particularly, to such a device adapted for movement continuouslylongitudinally along a continuous longitudinal ditch and has meansthereon engageable with a continuously longitudinally extending mound offiller earth stacked transversely adjacent the ditch for moving suchfiller earth into the ditch, while at the same time, tamping forcompacting of the filler earth within the ditch. In the preferred form,the automatic trench filler and tamper accomplishes the combined fillingand compacting functions in three stages, approximately one-third of thefiller earth being moved into the ditch and immediately tamped forcompacting in each stage, thereby assuring that both the filling andcompacting operations will be satisfactorily performed. Also in thepreferred form, the automatic trench filler and tamper may additionallyinclude a final automatic sweeping operation wherein the excess fillerearth remaining after the three stage filling operation is swept to thenow filled ditch, and from the adjacent working area.

Various prior devices have heretofore been provided capable of movingfiller earth stacked adjacent a ditch into the ditch for filling thesame, but, prior to the present invention, none have been completelysatisfactory as to the filling operation resulting in the requirement ofadditional clean-up work being required. Furthermore, none of thesedevices, other than on a slow and tedious stop and go basis, havecombined with the filling operation the necessary compacting of thefiller earth within the ditch vital for eliminating a later partialrefilling operation. For instance, with the usual prior automatic trenchfiller, the filler earth stacked adjacent the ditch is moved into theditch leaving a portion thereof at the original stacked site requiringworkmen to then follow and complete the filling operation. Even then,the filler earth within the ditch is not compacted and after a shortperiod of settling and washing, is required to be augmented byadditional filler earth for final proper surface leveling.

One of the prior devices useful for the pure filling operation ofshallow ditches has made use of a rotatable spiralauger which ispositioned thereby with the rotating axis thereof extending horizontallyand transversely of the ditch. With this structure, it is possible tomove the auger continuously longitudinally along the ditch with theleading end thereof engaged with the filler earth stacked adjacent theditch and a continuous filling operation will be carried out. If,however, compacting of the filler earth within the ditch is necessary,which it usually is, a separate operation with a separate device is thenrequired for carrying out the compacting operation, usually with avibrating tamper.

The only prior structure known attempting to combine the operations ofboth filling and compacting makes use of a form of scraper or scoop incombination with a following tamper, but this prior device is confinedto stop and go operation relative to movement along the ditch and cannotcarry out the combined operations on a continuously moving basis. Thestructure of this prior device includes a scoop or scraper mountedthereon transversely movable relative to the ditch whereby the device ismoved in stop and go increments longitudinally along the ditch and thefiller earth may be moved by the scoop or scraper into the ditch whilethe device is intermittently stationary. This same device mounts avibrating tamper in a position following the ditch filling scoop orscraper which serves to compact the filler earth within the ditch onceplaced therein. Obviously, this intermittent stop and go requiredoperation is relatively slow and tedious.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore, an object of thisinvention to provide an automatic trench filler and tamper which isconstructed for continuous longitudinal movement along a longitudinallyextending ditch and will continuously properly fill the ditch withfiller earth from a longitudinally continuous stack of filler earthtransversely adjacent the ditch, and will also properly andsatisfactorily compact the filler earth once the same is placed withinthe ditch. With the device of the present invention, automatic trenchfilling means operates continuously during continuous longitudinalmovement of the overall structure to move the filler earth transverselyinto the ditch. Immediately following the trench filling means istamping means overlying and downwardly engaged with the filler earthwithin the ditch so that a complete compacting operation is carried outon the same continuous basis.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an automatic trenchfiller and tamper which, in themeferred form, carries out the continuousfilling and compacting operation in predetermined stages, therebyassuring uniform and proper filling and a more complete and thoroughcompacting. Each stage consists of a portion of the filler earth beingmoved into the ditch followed by compacting of that filler earth portionwith a multiplicity of such stages being required, although on acontinuous longitudinally moving basis, for the complete overall fillingand compacting. In this manner, the filling operation is much morenearly uniform than has heretofore been possible, and the compacting islikewise uniform and more complete.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an automatictrench filler and tamper of the foregoing type and which may includemeans for cleaning excess filler dirt adjacent the ditch after thefilling and compacting operations in order to provide a final cleanworking area. Again, in the preferred form, the device of the presentinvention may include continuously operable sweeping means thereonpositioned for sweeping the area adjacent the ditch of excess fillerdirt and directing the same to the ditch after the filling andcompacting operations. Thus, whether the ditch is located in areascontaining grass or similar low plantings such as the usual improvedareas, the work area in final form is relatively clean and eliminatesthe need for workmen to later perform such functions.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an automatic trenchfiller and tamper of the foregoing general character which performs thefilling and compacting operations in a relatively simple and efficientmanner, yet which, although being somewhat specialized in character, itis readily adaptable to a relatively wide variety of trench filling andcompacting tasks. In the preferred form of the device, the entiremechanism may be constructed self-contained, that is, the main frame maybe self-motivating and fully steerable for precise positioning relativeto and movement along a trench or ditch to be filled. All of thecomponents of the device are carried on the main frame and may besupported fully adjustable relative to the ground surface area withinwhich the trench or ditch is formed, thus, adapting the device for exactcontrol and manipulation to efficiently carry out a desired ditchfilling and compacting operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing specification and the accompanying drawings which are for thepurpose of illustration only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a left side elevational viewof an embodiment of automatic trench filler and tamper incorporating theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front end view of the automatic trench filler and tamper ofFIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows 2 -2 in FIG. 1, certainselective adjustments thereof being shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 3 is a rear end view of the automatic trench filler and tamper ofFIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows 3-3 in FIG. 1, certainselective adjustments thereof being shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the automatic trench fillerand tamper of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows 44 in FIG.2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view looking inthe direction of the arrows 5-5 in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, transverse, side elevational view of anoptional form of earth moving means adapted for use on the automatictrench filler and tamperof FIG. 1, such moving means being illustratedrelative to a ground surface and ditch to be filled performing the ditchfilling function;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the optional earth movingmeans of FIG. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a reduced, fragmentary, somewhat diagrammatic view of theautomatic trench filler and tamper of FIGS. 1 through 4 positionedrelative to a ditch to be filled and just beginning the ditch fillingand compacting operation;

FIG. 9 is a reduced, fragmentary, top plan view looking in the directionof the arrows 9-9 in FIG. 8; and

FIGS. 10, ll, 12 and 13 are views similar to FIG. 8 and showingprogressive longitudinal movement of the automatic trench filler andtamper along the ditch being filled and compacted in the performance ofthe trench filling and compacting operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST EMBODIMENTS CONTEMPLATED Referring to thedrawings and, for the moment, particularly FIGS. 1 through 4, theembodiment of the automatic trench filler and tamper shown thereinincludes a main frame generally indicated at formed generallyrectangularly in top plan view and from appropriate structural memberswell known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the main frame 20mounts and supports a somewhat usual gasoline or diesel drive motor 22operably connected for driving an hydraulic fluid pump 24 which supplieshydraulic fluid for operating all of the various components of thedevice as will be hereinafter more clearly explained. The main frame 20is supported movable by appropriately positioned wheels 26, each ofwhich is separately rotatably driven by an hydraulic motor 28 andseparately pivotally movable, although the front or forward of saidwheels are tied to turn in unison and the rearward of said wheels aretied to turn in unison by transverse turning bars 30 individuallycontrolled by hydraulic turning motors 32. Still further, as best seenin FIG. 2, the main frame 20 and the turning bars 30 are transverselyextensible so that the wheels 26 at the right side of the main frame maybe adjusted transversely to widen or narrow the transverse span of themain frame 20 to properly locate the device relative to the particularworking area and terrain.

Earth moving means generally indicated at 34 is mounted on the mainframe 20 and preferably includes a series of three generallyhorizontally and transversely extending spiral augers 36, eachseparately rotatably driven about its horizontal and transverse axis byan hydraulic motor 38. The augers 36 are mounted spaced longitudinallyapart with the forward auger being on a separate support frame 40 andthe intermediate and rearward augers on a common support frame 42. Thesupport frame 40 for the forward auger 36 is vertically adjustable,preferably by usual hydraulic means, for vertically positioning theforward auger, and the common support frame 42 for the intermediate andrearward augers 36 is likewise vertically and angularly adjustablethrough forward vertically adjustable arms 44 and rearward pivotal arms46, also preferably hydraulically controlled in the usual manner. A pairof guide wheels 48 may be mounted at the rearward end of the commonsupport frame 42 for aiding in guiding the intermediate and rearwardaugers 36 along a ground surface generally indicated at 50.

Dirt compacting means generally indicated at 52 is also mounted on themain frame 20 preferably including a generally vertically vibratingtamper 54 spaced rearwardly of each of the augers 36 so that there isone tamper following each auger. The tampers 54 are longitudinallyaligned on the main frame 20 at transverse locations just transverselyoutside of leading ends of the augers 36, although spaced longitudinallyrearwardly of said augers. In other words, as the device is viewed fromthe front as shown in FIG. 2, the leading ends of the augers 36 are tothe left and the trailing ends thereof are to the right with the augersrotating so that the spiral appears to progress to the left, and thetampers 54 are in a longitudinal line just transversely to the left ofthe auger leading ends.

The tampers 54 are of generally well known construction as shown in FIG.5, each including a lower, generally horizontally extending, impactingplate 56 which is moved up and down vertically in somewhat vibratoryfashion by the combination of springs and bydraulic fluid powergenerated by separate hydraulic motors 58. As stated, the tampers 54 areof well known form and any of various well known constructions may beused. The important point is that these tampers 54 be of a formvertically vibrating the impacting plates 56 so as to serve their usualfunction of impacting earth when the tampers are positioned with theimpacting plates thereof downwardly engaging loose filler earth.

The tampers 54 are each mounted on the main frame 20 through selectivelyadjustable, vertical control assemblies 60 adapted for selectivelyadjusting the vertical locations and working areas of the impactingplates 56. Without entering into detail, each of the tampers 54 isgenerally vertically and slidably mounted on a support arm 62, theparticular tamper being tied through a cable 64 to vertically react tomovement of a plunger 66 controlled by hydraulic fluid. Thus, thetampers 54 may be moved generally vertically upwardly and downwardlythrough the vertical control assemblies 60 so that the tampers may beadjusted to the desired vertical heights as will be hereinafterexplained.

Finally, sweeping means generally indicated at 68 is mounted on the mainframe spaced rearwardly of the rearmost of the tampers 54 and includes agenerally horizontally and angularly transversely extending brush 70rotatable about a generally horizontal axis. The brush 70 is supportedon the main frame 20 by an inverted U-shaped frame 72 and is rotated byan hydraulic motor 74. Furthermore, the brush frame 72 is selectivelyvertically adjustable to selectively position the brush 70 at a desiredvertical height and against the ground surface 50 through a usualhydraulically actuated plunger (not shown).

All of the hydraulic driving and adjustments of the above-describedcomponents, including the driving and steering of the overall device,are controlled by an operator (not shown) located on a seat 76 supportedtransversely outwardly of andby the main frame 20 selectively adjustinga series of control levers on the main frame 20 as shown in FIG. 1.Starting forwardmost of the main frame 20, lever 78 controls the speedof rotation of all of the wheels 26, levers 80 control vertical movementof the augers 36, the tampers 54 and the brush 70, and lever 82 controlsthe throttle of the drive motor 22. Additionally, levers 84simultaneously turn the front wheels 26 and simultaneously turn the rearwheels 26, levers 86 control the speed of rotation of the augers 36,levers 88 control the speed of vibratory motion of the tampers 54 andlever 89 controls the speed of rotation of the brush 70.

In operation of the trench filler and tamper shown in FIGS. 1 through 4,and referring to the operational, somewhat schematic views of FIGS. 8through 13, the device is positioned longitudinally aligned forcontinuous longitudinal movement along a trench or ditch 90 formedextending downwardly from the ground surface 50. Furthermore, suchlongitudinal alignment is with the main frame 20 positioned such thatthe tampers 54 are longitudinally aligned with the ditch 90 and theaugers 36 extend transversely to the side of the ditch alignment and inlongitudinal interference alignment with a longitudinally extendingmound or stack of filler earth 92 stacked transversely adjacent theditch. Thus, the trench filler and tamper is ready for beginning thetrench filling, compacting and sweeping operation.

Prior to the start of longitudinal movement of the device continuouslyalong the ditch 90, the vertical heights of the augers 36 are adjustedsuch that the forward auger, the first to engage the filler earth 92,will engage the top portion thereof, the intermediate auger slightlylower to engage the top portion of the tiller earth remaining after theforward auger and the rear auger just above the ground surface 50, theposition shown in FIG. 8. Also as shown in FIG. 8, at this time, all ofthe tampers 54 remain in raised positions, that is, at this initialstarting time. The brush 70 likewise is retained in raised position.

Starting operation, the wheels 26 are rotated to transport the devicecontinuously longitudinally along the ditch 90. At the same time,continuous rotation of the augers 36 is begun, but it is not yetnecessary to begin actuation of the tampers 54 nor rotation of the brush70. As shown in FIG. 8, this initial forward movement causes engagementwith the forward auger 36 with the upper portion of the filler earth 92and through the spiral action of the auger begins to cause the auger todeposit approximately the first one-third of the filler earth into theditch 90, this initial engagement also being shown in top plan view inFIG. 9.

As the device progresses longitudinally as shown in FIG. 10, the forwardor leading tamper 54 directly longitudinally rearwardly of the forwardnow-engaged auger 36 is moved over the ditch by the device forwardmovement and is immediately lowered downwardly until the impacting plate56 thereof overlies and engages downwardly with the filler earth 92 thathas been moved into the ditch by the forward auger. At the same time,impacting vibrational movement of this forward tamper 54 is begun sothat as the device continues to move longitudinally along the ditch 90,the forward auger 36 continues to deposit filler earth 92 progressivelyfrom the stack thereof adjacent the ditch and into the ditch while theforward tamper 54 continues to impact this first approximately one-thirdof filler earth deposit. As also shown in FIG. 10, the continuousprogressive longitudinal movement of the device moves the intermediateof the augers 36 into its engagement with the tiller earth 92 stackedtransversely adjacent the ditch 90 which intermediate auger begins tomove a second approximately one-third of the filler earth 92 stackedtransversely adjacent the ditch into the ditch.

As the longitudinal movement of the device progresses as shown in FIG.11, the intermediate tamper 54, or that tamper immediatelylongitudinally rearwardly of the intermediate auger 36 is lowered forthe impacting plate 56 thereof to downwardly engage the filler earth 92within the ditch 90 deposited by this intermediate auger and operationof this intermediate tamper is begun. The second approximately one-thirdof filler earth 92 deposited in the ditch 90 by the intermediate auger36 is thereby progressively impacted on top of the first approximatelyone-third of the filler earth by this intermediate tamper 54.Immediately following the intermediate tamper 54, the last or rearwardauger 36 begins to engage the remaining approximately one-third of thefiller earth transversely adjacent the ditch 90 and progressively movesthe same into the ditch to complete the filler earth deposit.

As shown in FIG. 12, the last or rearward of the tampers 54 arrives atthe ditch 90 and is lowered and begun operation for the impacting plate56 thereof to downwardly engage and impact the last approximatelyone-third of the filler earth 92 within the ditch 90 against thepreviously deposited and impacted'filler earth therein. It is pointedout that for complete compacting of the filler earth 92 deposited intothe ditch 90 by the augers 36, it is, of course, preferred to make useof impacting plates 56. on the tampers 54 of proper width so as tocompletely transversely span the ditch 90 within the same and forditches of various transverse widths, tamper impacting plates of varioustransverse widths would be used.

Finally, as the device continues to progress longitudinally along theditch 90, the trailing brush 70 arrives at the ditch 90 as shown in FIG.13. The brush 70 is lowered to the ground surface 50 overlying any ofthe filler earth 92 remaining thereon adjacent the ditch 90 and rotationof the brush is begun. The brush 70, therefore, will sweep any excessfiller earth 92 remaining to the location of the ditch 90 reasonablycleaning the surrounding area with the final result of a completelycontinuously filled and filler earth impacted ditch 90. Furthermore,this continuous operation of the device may be continued for the entirelongitudinal length of the ditch 90 merely by the continuous progressivelongitudinal movement of the device therealong.

An alternate form of the earth moving means 34 is shown in sideelevation FIG. 6 and top plan view in FIG. 7, the same again beingsupported on the main frame extending transversely adjacent the ditch 90and being arranged for selective vertical adjustment positioning in theusual manner. As shown, the earth moving means 34, in this case,includes a continuously moving, endless conveyor belt 94 mounting aseries of uniformly transversely spaced buckets 96 with one bucket andbelt combination being located at and replacing each of the augers 36.Thus, by continuous movement of each of the conveyor belts 94 clockwiseas viewed in FIG. 6 engaging the buckets 96 with the filler earth 92,the desired amount of the filler earth may be moved into the ditch 90 insimilar manner to that previously described.

According to the principles of the present invention, therefore, anautomatic trench filler and tamper is provided which may movecontinuously longitudinally along a previously formed ditch 90 andthrough operation of the various components thereof will move fillerearth 92 stacked transversely adjacent the ditch and continuouslylongitudinally therealong into the ditch for filling the same, while atthe same time, impacting the filler earth within the ditch and finallyreasonably sweeping the ground surface 50. In the preferred form, theautomatic trench filler and tamper of the present invention carries outthe ditch filling and impacting operation in multiple stages moving aportion of the filler earth 92 into the ditch 90, impacting that portionandrepeating so that the final filled ditch has the filler earth 92therein properly stabilized, all accomplished in a unique and efficientmanner.

I claim:

1. In an automatic trench filler and tamper of the type for filling acontinuously longitudinally extending ditch from a continuouslylongitudinally extending mound of filler earth stacked transverselyadjacent said ditch; the combination of: a main frame positionablecontinuously movable forwardly longitudinally along said ditch; earthmoving means on said main frame movable for engaging and continuouslymoving said fillerearth transversely from adjacent said ditch into saidditch during movement of said main frame continuously longitudinallyalong said ditch including a plurality of rotatable spiral augerslongitudinally spaced on said main frame each extending generallyhorizontally and transversely, said augers from forward to rearward ofsaid main frame being positioned at progressively spaced lower levelsone auger to the next to engage said filler earth mound as said fillerearth mound is progressively decreased in vertical height by saidplurality of augers, support means for each of said augers positioningsaid each auger engaged with said filler earth with a leading end atsaid ditch and a trailing end spaced from said ditch; a plurality ofcontinuously vibratory tampers on said main frame with there being atleast one of said tampers longitudinally rearwardly of each of saidaugers, said tampers being positioned with lower earth tamping meansthereof at progressively spaced higher levels one tamper to thenext'from forwardly to rearwardly of said main frame to engage and tampsaid filler earth moved into said ditch as said ditch is progressivelyfilled with said filler earth by said augers, said tampers includingmeans positioning said tampers vertically over and against said fillerearth in said ditch at said respective levels; power means for moving,said main frame continuously forwardly longitudinally along said ditch,continuously rotating each of said augers to continuously move saidfiller earth into said ditch and continuously vibrating each of saidtampers to compact said filler earth within said ditch.

2. An automatic trench filler and tamper as defined in claim 1 in whichthere are at least three of said continuously rotatable spiral augerslongitudinally spaced on said main frame each at said spaced levels, andat least one of said continuously vibrating tampers longitudinallyrearwardly of each of said augers at said progressively spaced levels.

3. An automatic trench filler and tamper as defined in claim 1 in whichthere are at least three of said continuously rotatable spiral augerslongitudinally spaced on said main frame each at said spaced levels, andat least one of said continuously vibrating tampers longitudinallyrearwardly of each of said augers at said progressively spaced levels;in which continuously rotatable sweeper brush means is mounted on saidmain frame longitudinally rearwardly of a rearwardmost of said tamperseffective at approximately the same vertical level as said rearwardmosttamper for sweeping excess filler earth adjacent said ditch generallytransversely to said ditch; and in which said power means continuouslyrotates said sweeper means during said main frame movement continuouslylongitudinally along said ditch.

4. An automatic trench filler and tamper as defined in claim 1 in whichcontinuously rotatable sweeper brush means is mounted on said main framelongitudinally rearwardly of a rearwardmost of said tampers effective atapproximately the same vertical level as said rearwardmost tamper forsweeping excess filler earth adjacent said ditch generally transverselyto said ditch; and in which said power means continuously rotates saidsweeper means during said main frame movement continuouslylongitudinally along said ditch.

1. In an automatic trench filler and tamper of the type for filling acontinuously longitudinally extending ditch from a continuouslylongitudinally extending mound of filler earth stacked transverselyadjacent said ditch; the combination of: a main frame positionablecontinuously movable forwardly longitudinally along said ditch; earthmoving means on said main frame movable for engaging and continuouslymoving said filler earth transversely from adjacent said ditch into saidditch during movement of said main frame continuously longitudinallyalong said ditch including a plurality of rotatable spiral augerslongitudinally spaced on said main frame each extending generallyhorizontally and transversely, said augers from forward to rearward ofsaid main frame being positioned at progressively spaced lower levelsone auger to the next to engage said filler earth mound as said fillerearth mound is progressively decreased in vertical height by saidplurality of augers, support means for each of said augers positioningsaid each auger engaged with said filler earth with a leading end atsaid ditch and a trailing end spaced from said ditch; a plurality ofcontinuously vibratory tampers on said main frame with there being atleast one of said tampers longitudinally rearwardly of each of saidaugers, said tampers being positioned with lower earth tamping meansthereof at progressively spaced higher levels one tamper to the nextfrom forwardly to rearwardly of said main frame to engage and tamp saidfiller earth moved into said ditch as said ditch is progressively filledwith said filler earth by said augers, said tampers including meanspositioning said tampers vertically over and against said filler earthin said ditch at said respective levels; power means for moving saidmain frame continuously forwardly longitudinally along said ditch,continuously rotating each of said augers to continuously move saidfiller earth into said ditch and continuously vibrating each of saidtampers to compact said filler earth within said ditch.
 2. An automatictrench filler and tamper as defined in claim 1 in which there are atleast three of said continuously rotatable spiral augers longitudinallyspaced on said main frame each at said spaced levels, and at least oneof said continuously vibrating tampers longitudinally rearwardly of eachof said augers at said progressively spaced levels.
 3. An automatictrench filler and tamper as defined in claim 1 in which there are atleast three of said continuously rotatable spiral augers longitudinallyspaced on said main frame each at said spaced levels, and at least oneof said continuously vibrating tampers longitudinally rearwardly of eachof said augers at said progressively spaced levels; in whichcontinuously rotatable sweeper brush means is mounted on said main framelongitudinally rearwardly of a rearwardmost of said tampers effective atapproximately the same vertical level as said rearwardmost tamper forsweeping excess filler earth adjacent said ditch generally transverselyto said ditch; and in which said power means continuously rotates saidsweeper means during said main frame movement continuouslylongitudinally along said ditch.
 4. An automatic trench filler andtamper as defined in claim 1 in which continuously rotatable sweeperbrush means is mounted on said main frame longitudinally rearwardly of arearwardmost of said tampers effective at approximately the samevertical level as said rearwardmost tamper for sweeping excess fillerearth adjacent said ditch generally transversely to said ditch; and inwhich said power means continuously rotates said sweeper means duringsaid main frame movement continuously longitudinally along said ditCh.